Well I picked up a new Colt M4 today..ordered some ammo as well..looking forward to getting it out and putting some rounds down range..just wondering what else I am going to need and should look into purchasing...This is my first rifle..mainly into handguns..

A front sight tool is handy. The front sight post on my rifle was very tight from the factory and using the tip of a bullet just didn't work. They are cheap and well worth it. I paid $7 for mine and it makes adjusting the sight a breeze. I shoot whatever is cheapest and often adjust zero between brand/types/weights of ammo I am shooting that day.

After that a few extra mags (I like Colt 20rd mags) and as much ammo as you can afford. Congrats on a nice rifle.

For me, a vertical foregrip was a must before I even shot my gun, but that's me. I also think a weapon mounted light is a very good idea. Other than that, I would suggest putting several hundred rounds downrange before deciding what, if any, accessories you want to install. Training is a great suggestion, as well as ammo and mags. My preferance, and many others', is magpul PMags. A lot of courses require you to have a minimum of three to four mags loaded and ready to go, so make sure you check out requirements like that before taking the course, still, seems most places have items such as mags that they loan out...

Congrats on making an excellent decision for a first AR/M4! That really does put you way ahead of others just starting out.

Learn to shoot iron sights first, then you may want to go to a red dot. I'm going to an Aimpoint PRO which will co-witness the irons in case of malfunction. DOC

A huge, huge +1 on that.

I inadvertently left that off my list of suggestions above. My bad.

I absolutely believe that anyone owning an AR (or any rifle, for that matter) should master the task of accuracy using only the iron sights (yes, it's difficult on some rifles, such as AKs, since stock AK sights suck).

The range closest to me charges $20 and has an oppressive list of rules.

Off the top of my head:

No rapid fire - (1 sec between shots)

Magazines can only be loaded to 10 rds

No steel core

No hip or fast draw

etc...

So it was ok to zero but I'm checking out my other options in the area.

Not sure where you are located because I-40 is a rather large highway

But if you are a reasonable distance from Lillington, in Harnett County, check out Range37. It's expensive as hell ($35 a day for civilians, $30 for .mil/LE) but it's a LOW restriction range. Just a thought! They have tactical bays that you can set up your own steel targets in, 100 meter covered rifle range, and a 11 room shoot house IIRC. I've toured the place, but never shot there because of the $35 a day, that's 100rds of .223 ammo for crying out loud!

Here's their site: Range37.com

and a picture of their layout

__________________"you cannot invade the mainland United States, there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass..."

But if you are a reasonable distance from Lillington, in Harnett County, check out Range37. It's expensive as hell ($35 a day for civilians, $30 for .mil/LE) but it's a LOW restriction range. Just a thought! They have tactical bays that you can set up your own steel targets in, 100 meter covered rifle range, and a 11 room shoot house IIRC. I've toured the place, but never shot there because of the $35 a day, that's 100rds of .223 ammo for crying out loud!

Here's their site: Range37.com

and a picture of their layout

That is awesome. I wish there were someplace in Ohio like that. Given how busy ranges are these days, and how much people spend, I'm surprised some enterprising individuals haven't jumped into stuff like this.